For Wine Drinkers of All Levels

These are articles for wine drinkers of all levels, crossing a broad range of topics from food pairings to discovering wine regions and tips on tasting.By Palate Club Ambassadors Jennifer Estevez and Aubrey Terrazas.

Sprichst du Deutsch? In true German fashion, wine laws have been placed to make the system more efficient and less elusive. An entire guidebook to the bottle is placed on every label. Unlike the laxidative labeling laws set by the American Viticulture Association, theoretically you should know exactly what you’re getting into when you read […]

Since we began our journey as Palate Club Ambassadors back in November, Aubrey and I have traveled all over California and made a quick stop in Washington. We leave in three days and will be gone for two weeks to our first international destination; Australia. Our mission; to document different wine Australian regions through photo […]

Have you ever said that you hate to drink a Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Chardonnay? You’re not alone. Many people have had bad experiences with certain wines. We actually applaud you for drinking what you like (that’s kind of our thing!). But you know how you always hated that one vegetable until you had […]

You have a nice bottle of wine that you have held onto and tonight is the night you open it. What are some things you can do you make sure it is drinking at its prime? Decanters vs. Aerators First things first, let’s remember there are no rules set in stone on how you should […]

Wine is the ultimate sensory experience. One glass can simultaneously express history, agriculture, food, science, geography, climate, soil, language, culture, smell, taste, and sex. Too often it is overlooked as a means to jolly folly and drinkery. Yes, it is a fermented alcoholic beverage (I myself have had many a starry-eyed night from one too […]

When I introduce myself to people with my professional credentials (Advanced Sommelier) I often get questions about what it’s like to study for the Master Sommelier Exam. This is a complex question to answer. People think it is glamorous to study for your Master Sommelier Exam; they are under the impression we drink champagne, talk […]

Merlot shared its glory days with the flashy 1990s, the Clinton years, and a strong economy. People loved it because it was generous, bold, dark- albeit the style at the time was somewhat obvious. It became the darling of the casual wine drinkers and took over grocery store shelves. Merlot plantings, easier to grow than […]

Good juice can break the bank, we know. As the demand for major players like Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and Napa Cabernet rise, the prices become all the more untouchable. Add to this issues like frost (2017 in France was hit hard)- the small crop only adds to the issue of supply and demand. So does […]

I touched on my trip to Campania briefly in an earlier blog about Lake County. Campania is the eastern coastal region of Italy set against the Tyrrhenian Sea. Campania is a beautiful and picturesque place and is most often remembered for the stunning white blue seas and cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. I drove through […]